Newcastle trigger release clause of top target just hours after Eddie Howe's exit

Eddie Howe's shock exit from Newcastle United was confirmed on Thursday morning, and only hours after his departure, another signing could be heading through the door.

Howe informed Newcastle's hierarchy that he wanted to leave the club weeks ago, agreeing to stay until the club found a replacement.

That has now emerged as Al Ahli boss Matthias Jaissle, and he is the surprise favourite to take over from the 48-year-old at St James' Park.

Crucially, Howe's desire to leave the club - almost five years on from joining in November 2021 - was largely fuelled by his best players jumping ship.

Firstly, it was Anthony Gordon's £70million departure to Barcelona that angered the Englishman, and then Sandro Tonali's £92.5million move to Premier League rivals Tottenham would have added insult to injury.

A mass exodus looks set to continue, meanwhile, with captain Bruno Guimaraes pushing for a move to Arsenal, while Manchester United are looking to take advantage of their dire situation by prising Lewis Hall to Old Trafford.

Newcastle's summer is falling apart after losing some of their best players and their most successful modern-day manager.

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Howe delivered incredible success to the Magpies by ending their 70-year trophy drought in 2025 with a Carabao Cup triumph, while qualifying for the Champions League twice.

Jaissle will have big boots to fill if he takes over from the Englishman, and while talks are at an advanced stage, he isn't the only new arrival on the horizon.

Newcastle trigger release clause for Braga's Lucas Hornicek

Newcastle have made four new signings this summer - all aged 20 and under - including Bazoumana Traore, Aladji Bamba, Sean Steur and Ewen Jaouen.

The Toon have planned for the future with those additions, and now they look set to add a bit of top-level experience to their squad.

According to TEAMtalk, Newcastle have triggered Lukas Hornicek's £24.5 million release clause at Portuguese giants Braga to make him their first-choice goalkeeper next season.

The report claims that a move is 'advancing' towards completion, and that will come as a huge relief to those at the club after monitoring him for well over a year.

Hornicek is only 24, but has emerged as one of Europe's most promising shot-stoppers, making 14 appearances in the Europa League last term and helping them reach the semi-finals before losing to Freiburg.

In total, the Czech Republic international has made 88 appearances for Braga, and his pending arrival continues the overhaul of Newcastle's goalkeeping department.

This summer, the Toon have already landed France U21 international Jaouen from Reims in a £18.5 million deal, but Hornicek has always been viewed as the man to become the club's long-term number one.

Unsurprisingly, signing two young goalkeepers has pushed Nick Pope closer to the exit door.

Pope has been incredible for Newcastle since joining from Burnley four years ago, playing a major role in their Carabao Cup victory and Champions League campaigns.

But the 34-year-old's performance levels dropped off dramatically last term, and with his contract expiring in June 2027, the Magpies are willing to listen to offers for him.